Bottom rail construction for venetian blind



March 5, 1957 I R. P. MOYER 2,783,831

BOTTOM RAIL CONSTRUCTION FOR VENETIAN BLIND Filed Jan. 14, 1953 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 3 INVENTOR.

F?OBEET P MOYER BY ATTORNEYS R. P. MOYER March 5, 1957 BOTTOM RAIL CONSTRUCTION FOR VENETIAN BLIND Filed Jan. 14, 1953 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 I INVENTOR. ROBERT P Movue HTTORNEYS BOTTOM RAIL CONSTRUCTION FOR VENETIAN BLIND Robert P. Moyer, Sturgis, Mich., assignor to Kirsch Company, Sturgis, Mich., a corporation of Michigan Application January 14, 1953, Serial No. 331,291 6 Claims. (Cl. 160173) This invention relates to bottom rail constructions for Venetian blinds and particularly to sheet metal bottom rail constructions, although it may be applicable to bottom rail constructions made of other suitable ma-' terials.

One of the objects of the invention is to provide a new and improved bottom rail construction;

I Another object is to provide such a bottom rail construction which may be assembled and applied to a blind without the need of tools and in which the various portions of the bottom rail assembly may be snapped together and firmly retained in position.

Another object is to provide a bottom rail constructionwhich may be fastened to the ladder tapes of the blindat the desired point easily and simply, thus greatly facilitating the assembly operation.

'f Another object is to provide a bottom rail construction in which the ladder tapes and lift cords are applied to individual fastening and supporting plates which may thereafter be merely snapped into an overall covering bottom rail which provides concealment and the necessary' weight to facilitate the operation of the blind.

Another object is to provide such a bottom rail construction in which the various parts may be made either asextr'usioris or sheet metal stampings at a minimum of expense. v e

' Other objects will be apparent from the following specification. A p v For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there are shown in the accompanying drawings forms thereof which are at present preferred since they give satisfactory results, although it will be understood that the instrumentalities of which the invention consists may be variously'arranged and organized and that the invention is not limited to the specific arrangements and organizations' of the instrumentalities as herein shown and described.

' ln the drawings:

"- Figi'lisa fragmentary elevational view partly in section of'-'a*bottom rail construction embodying one form of-t'he invention, -I'Fig": 'I'is :1: st "venticn." i T Pig. 3 is a view taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

" Pg; 4 is a sectional view taken'on the line 44 of nilaifview of another form of the ing. 5- is a perspective view of an attaching plate made "Fi'gf6' is'a perspective view of a tape anchorof the type shown in Fig. 2. v

- Fig 7 is a sectional view taken on the line 77 of Fig. .1: p

Fig.8 is .:a' .sectional'view taken .on the line 8-8 of in accordance with the invention and of-the type cm- Fig. 9 is a view showing a combined tape anchor and clip of the type shown in Figs. 1, 7 and 8.

Patented Mar. 5,

Fig. 10 is a blank used to form the device shown in Fig. 9. J

Fig. 11 is a view of one form of cap for the end of the bottom rail.

Fig. 12 is a view of another form of suchcap cmbodying hold-down features.

The invention consists generally of a resilient sheet metal channel which faces upwardly and has horizontal flanges extending inwardly from the upper edges'to form a longitudinal slot in the top of the bottom rail. A cord and ladder attaching tape is provided for each of the ladder tapes of the blind. It is provided with downwardly and inwardly extending lugs which fit between the horizontal flanges and which form seats for the lower ends of the ladder tapes. These ends are brought down at the sides of the plates and are brought inwardly and over the lugs and into seats where they are anchored by a resilient anchoring means which can be snapped into position. Each plate has a central lift cord ap'erture which serves either to anchor the lift cord or as a a passage therefor when a compound lift is employed, in

which case the ladder tape anchor is provided with the pulley for the compound lift.

At each end of the plate there is a flange which ex tends downwardly from the plate. it is slightly longer than the width of the slot and is provided adjacent the plate with notches into which the horizontal flanges of the bottom rail snap when the plate and flanges are forced into the slot.

With this arrangement it is possible to fasten the ladder tapes and the lift cords to the plate and it is possible to accurately position the plate so that it will be at the proper point on the lift cords. Thereafter, the plate ismerely snapped into the bottom rail at the desired position.

In the preferred form of the invention the plate is provided with an extension on each of the end'flang'es which extends to the :base of the horizontal flange when the plate is inserted and which cooperates with the" plate to serve as a fulcrum and to tend to slightly distort the flange to assist in inserting the plate in the bottom rail. Referring specifically to the drawings, the bottom rail 1 is an upwardly-facing channel having a bottom 2 and sides 3 which terminate in upper edges 4. This chart nel'is preferably 'of sheet metal which has sufficient resilience to permit the snapping of the plate into position as will be hereafter described.

Horizontal flanges 5 extend inwardly from the upper edges '4 of the-channel and into spaced relationship to form a longitudinal slot 6 which extends the length of the channeL- A lift cord attaching plate 7, which is generally rectangular in form, is provided for attachment to the ladder tapes and the lift cord. There is a central aperture 8 through which the lift cord 9- passes. In -the-form=of the invention shown in- Figs. 1 and 710, the lift cord passes over a pulley 10 to provide for a compound lift, whereas in the form of invention shown in Figs. 2-6 the lift cord is provided with an anchoring'collar 10, which may be inserted through the enlarged portion 11' of the aperture 8 and thenshifted over to .the narrower portio 12 of the aperture foranchoring. 1

The plate 7 is provided with downwardly and inwardlyfacing lugs 13 which may be formed through stamping. They are provided with serrated edges 14 for engaging the bottom of the lift cord. These lugs are preferably spaced apart a distance less than the width of the slot 6 so that when the plate 7 is in position the lugs are concealed by the bottom rail 1. These lugs are equally spaced laterally from the central liftcord.-.aperture-8. The lower ends '15 .of .the laddertapes are brought down, as shown in Fig. 4, around the sides 16 of the plate 7 along the bottom thereof and over the lugs 13 into seats 17 which are formed by the lugs between the plate 7 and the lugs. The lower ends 15 of the lift cord are anchored by a resilient spring clip anchoring means 18 which is provided with outwardly-facing; spaed-apart e es 19 whichare resiliently urged into the seat to anchor the ends of the ladder tape as shown in Fig. 4.

In the form of invention shown in Figs. 1 and 7-10 this anchoring clip is provided with bearing holes 20 which receive a shaft 21 on which the pulley 10 is mounted. A pulley guiding tongue 22 is pressed up from the bottom of the clip to assist in keeping the lift cord in position on the pulley. The edges 19 serve to anchor the ends of the ladder tapes.

A plain cap, such as shown at 23, may be used on the end of the channel member, or if desired an insertable cap 24, which is provided with a pin 25, may be employed to permit anchoring of the blind. 7

Each of the plates 7 is provided at each end with a downwardly-extending flange 26, which has a length slightly greater than the width of the slot 6. Adjacent the plate at each end of this flange is a notch 27 adapted to receive the inner edge of one of the horizontal flanges 5, which may be forced apart because of the resiliency of the channel during insertion of the flange 26, but which will snap into the notches 27 when the blind is assembled.

Each of the downwardly-extending flanges 26 is provided with an extension 28, which fits into the channel 1 and extends to the base of one of the flanges Where, when the plate is in assembled position, it bears at the base of the flange, as is shown at 29 in Fig. 4. This extension 28 c0operates with the slightly downwardly-turning end 30 of the plate to grip the flange 5 during assembly, thus facilitating the insertion of the plate and its flanges into the channel. The flange 5 is deflected slightly downwardly during this operation and the resiliency of the sheet metal of the bottom channel tends tohold the plate and its flanges in assembled position due to the resiliency.

It will be apparent that all of the elements going into the'make-up of this blind are simple in construction and may be easily made as stampings or in any other suitable way. It will be apparent that the assembly of the blind is greatly facilitated because each of the plates 7 may be simply and easily attached both to the lift cord and to the ends of the ladder tape at the desired position. All of the parts are fullyexposed during this operation and are easily accessible, and it is not necessary to use 5 any tools for bringing about the assembly. When the parts have all been assembled the channel member may be snapped into position and a single slat 31 may be placed as a cover on the entire bottom assembly where it may rest loosely to close the upper opening or slot of the channel.

If it is necessary to change ladder tapes or remove cords, this may be done simply and easily by merely snapping the plates out of the channel, thusexposing all of the attaching means for easy access.

The present invention may be embodied in other spe cific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof. It is therefore desired that the present embodiment be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, reference being bad to the appended claims rather than to the foregoin description to indicafe-the scope of the invention.

l. A bottom rail construction for aVen'cti'an blind comprising an upwardly facin'g, resilient sheet metal channel having horizontal flanges extending inwardly from the upper eage's thereof into spaced relationto for-in a longit'ndiiialslbt in said fail a 56:21 and ladde'r tape-"att'acl'inig plateliiiving a den rallift cdr'rl apftiif therein aaanawawarny and inwardly extending lug's' spaced apart laterally on either side of said central lift oid aperture a distance less than the width of said slot to provide anchoring seats for the ends of a ladder tape which extend from the opposite edges of said plate under said plate and over said lugs and into a seat formed by the lugs between the plate and the lugs and a resilient ladder tape retainer having outwardly-facing spaced-apart edges adapted to fit between said lugs and said plate and to be resiliently urged into said seats to anchor the ends of the ladder tape, and downwardly-extending end flanges slightly longer than the width of said slot extending downwardly from said plate adapted; to lid forced into said slot, each having at each end thereof and adjacent said plate an outwardly-facingnotch positioned to receive the inner edges of the inwardly-extending flanges of said channel whereby said channel and said plates may be snapped together for assembly.

2. A bottom rail construction for a Venetian blind comprising an upwardly-facing, resilient sheet metal channel having horizontal flanges extending inwardly frbm the upper edges thereof into spaced relation to foi'm' a longitudinal slot in said fail, a cord and ladder tape attaching plate having a central lift cord aperture therein and downwardly and inwardly-extending lugs spaced apart laterally on either side of saidcentral lift cord aperture a distance less than the" width of said slot to provide anchoring seats for the ends of a ladder tape which extend from the opposite edges of said plate under said plate and over said lugs and into a seat formed by the lugs between the plate and the lugs and a resilient ladder tape retainer having outwardly-facing, spaced-apart edges adapted to fit between said lugs and said plate and to be resiliently urged into said seats to anchor the ends of the ladder tape, said tape retainer having a central upwardly-facing channel and a pulley for use in a compound lift disposed therein below said central lift cord aperture and mounted on an axle transverse s esta rail, and downwardly-extending end flanges slightly long er than the width of said slot extending downwardly from said plate and adapted to be forced into said slot, each having at each end thereof and adjacent said plate an outwardly-facing notch positioned to receive the inner edges of the inwardly-extending flanges of said channel whereby said channel and said plates may be snapped together for assembly.

3. A bottom rail construction for a Venetian blind comprising an upwardly-facing, resilient channel having horizontal flanges extending inwardly from the upper edges thereof into spaced relation to form a longitudinal slot in said rail, a cord and ladder tape attaching plate having a central lift cord aperture therein and downwardly and inwardly-extending lugs spaced laterally on either side of said central lift cord aperture a distance less than the width of said slot to provide anchoring seats for the ends of a ladder tape which extend from the edges of said plate under said plate and over said lugs and into a seat formed by the lugs between the plate and the lugs and a resilient ladder tape retainer having out wardly-facing, spaced-apart edges adapted to fit between said lugs and said plate and to be resiliently urged into said seats to anchor the ends of the ladder tape, and downwardlyextcnding end flanges slightly longer than the width of said slot extending downwardly from said plate and adapted to be forced into said slot, each having at each end thereof and adjacent said plate an outwardlyfacing notch positioned to receive the inner edges of the inwardly-extending flanges of said channel whereby's'aid channel and said plates may be snapped together for assembly, each of said downwardly-extending flanges having a lateral extension extending to engage within the channel at the base of one of said inwardly-extending flanges to form a fulcrum for said plate during insertion thereof into said bottom rail and to cooperate with said plateto grip the buoyant flange 'and'tlex it.

4. A bottom rail construction for a Venetian blind comprising an upwardly-facing, resilient sheet metal channel having horizontal flanges extending inwardly from the upper edges thereof into spaced relation to form a longitudinal slot in said rail, a cord and ladder taps attaching plate having a central lift cord aperture therein and downwardly and inwardly-extending lugs spaced laterally on either side of said central lift cord aperture a distance less than the width of said slot to provide anchoring seats for the ends of a ladder tape which extend from the edges of said plate under said plate and over said lugs and into a seat formed between the plate and the lugs and a resilient ladder tape retainer having outwardly-facing, spaced-apart edges adapted to fit between said lugs and said plate and to be resiliently urged into said seats to anchor the ends of the ladder tape, and means extending downwardly from the ends of said plate and engageable between the edges of the horizontal flanges of said rail to be resiliently held thereby to anchor said rail and plates together.

5. A bottom rail construction for a Venetian blind comprising an upwardly-facing, resilient channel having herizontal flanges extending inwardly from the upper edges thereof into spaced relation to form a longitudinal slot in said rail, a cord and ladder tape attaching plate hav ing a central lift cord aperture therein and downwardly and inwardly-extending lugs space laterally on either side of said central lift cord aperture a distance less than the width of said slot to provide anchoring seats for the ends of a ladder tape which extend from the edges of said plate under said plate and over said lugs and into a seat formed between the plate and the lugs and a resilient ladder tape retainer having outwardly-facing, spacedapart edges adapted to fit between said lugs and said plate and to be resiliently urged into said seats to anchor the ends of the ladder tape, and means extending downwardly from the ends of said plate and engageable between the edges of the horizontal flanges of said rail to be resiliently held thereby to anchor said rail and plates together.

6. A bottom rail construction for a Venetian blind comprising an upwardly-facing, resilient channel having horizontal flanges extending inwardly from the upper edges thereof into spaced relation to form a longitudinal slot in said rail, a cord and ladder tape attaching plate having a central lift cord aperture therein and downwardly and inwardly-extending lugs spaced laterally on either side of said central lift cord aperture a distance less than the width of said slot to provide anchoring seats for the ends of a ladder tape which extend from the edges of said plate under said plate and over said lugs and into a seat formed between the plate and the lugs and a re silient ladder tape retainer having outwardly-facing, spaced-apart edges adapted to fit between said lugs and said plate and to be resiliently urged into said seats to anchor the ends of the ladder tape, said tape retainer having a central upwardly-facing channel and a pulley for use in a compound lift disposed therein below said central lift cord aperture and mounted on an axle transverse of said rail and means extending downwardly from the ends of said plate and engageable between the edges of the horizontal flanges of said rail to be resiliently held thereby to anchor said rail and plates together.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,573,163 Thomson Oct. 30, 1951 2,598,575 Martin et al. May 27, 1952 2,616,496 Iunkunc Nov. 4, 1952 2,618,329 Nelson NOV. 13, 1952 2,627,917 Lind Feb. 10, 1953 2,663,367 Lorentzen Dec. 22, 1953 

